Cleaner Production Tools -- Design for Environment
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Design for Environment (DFE) is the systematic consideration - during product design - of issues associated with the environment over the entire life cycle of a product. This approach attempts to create financial and environmental savings by redesigning products to reduce environmental impact. The object is to minimise or eliminate anticipated waste generation and resource consumption in all life cycle phases: production, use, and disposal. DFE applies the concept of pollution prevention to products before they are made.
For example, a product can be designed to be efficient in various life cycle phases:
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Manufacture: design to conserve natural resources during production
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Distribution: design for efficient distribution
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Use: design for durability and easy repair, minimal consumption of energy, water, etc.
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Disposal: design for re-use or safe recycling
ŠNDRC 2000-2006